Perkins bus incident sparks debate

PERKINS TWP. — Some are coming to his defense. Others are calling out his actions. And, in one way or another, everyone else seems to have an opinion on the alleged actions involving Perkins' head football coach Jalen Santoro and other team personnel following a playoff victory. These concerns stem from an apparent incident immediately after Perkins' 13-11 victory against Cleveland Glenville in a Division IV state football semifinal on Nov. 29 at Clyde High School. It's believed that a chartered bus transporting the Pirates team veered off its intended route and traveled into a Bellevue neighborhood. This is where Perkins personnel allegedly antagonized at least one person affiliated with Bellevue's football team at a residential property. There are many unknowns about this alleged situation, including what was said, who exactly was involved and who allowed this supposed action to occur. Many people, however, are connecting Santoro to this incident, seeing as he's the head football coach responsible for his players' on- and off-field conduct. Additionally: • Bellevue High School did host Glenville, a Cleveland school and two-time state champion, for a walkthrough or practice before its game at Clyde High School against Perkins. • Santoro, meanwhile, has deep roots in Bellevue. Beyond attending school there, in 2012, Santoro, a quarterback, led Bellevue to a state championship game during his senior season. He then played wide receiver at Tiffin University. While many expressed their views on social media in the days leading up to and in the aftermath of Saturday's state title game — which Perkins lost, 37-36, to Indian Valley on Dec. 7 — this bus incident publicly reached a boiling point at Wednesday's Perkins school board meeting. In a packed room, many attendees spoke with seemingly half in favor of Santoro with the others chastising these actions. Perkins school board members have neither publicly affirmed nor denied that the incident occurred. Before Wednesday's meeting, the Register submitted a public records request to gain documentation about this incident. Jeff Stacklin, a district spokesman, said a lawyer needed to get involved. Requesting emails from public employees, such as those working for schools, is covered under state law. In a separate email, Stacklin noted this incident is under investigation. It's not known when the investigation started or who's conducting the investigation. "We can't comment just yet," Stacklin said on Thursday. "Please give us a couple of days." Stacklin did not provide responses to questions by the Register's deadline for this article. When reached by phone on Thursday, Santoro refused to answer questions and referred the Register's inquiries to Stacklin and board member Ted Kastor. "I am not able to comment on anything," Santoro said. "When I can, I will for sure." Kastor responded to the Register's outreach by email. He also directed questions to Stacklin. "Jeff Stacklin will be releasing information on the bus incident," Kastor said. "I will be happy to discuss this with you at a later date. So sorry I can't assist you now." A phone call to district superintendent Lonny Rivera went unreturned this week. For Many people spoke in favor of Santoro and this situation at the Perkins school board meeting. This would include: • Mike Kaufman, a parent to Perkins students, backed up Santoro and his coaching staff. He said Santoro has made a positive impact on his children, and he and his staff are the "crown jewels" of the district. "What they accomplished in five years is second to none," Kaufman said. • John McGlashan said what the team and the district staff had accomplished is incredible. He said the team members have big hearts and it is thanks to Santoro and his staff. • Liz Bollini asked the board not to make decisions rashly. It should be noted that these three individuals all have sons who played in these recent playoff games for the Pirates. Against Many people spoke against these alleged actions. This would include: • Mike Powell said students are not to blame for the events that took place after the game. He questioned how an incident like this could happen and questioned what consequences would come from it. He described the event as "jerk behavior," "despicable" and "a stain on the district." • Tamara Anderson, a teacher at Perkins' Meadowlawn Intermediate School, said those in roles similar to her have a responsibility to be positive role models and there have to be consequences for actions. "I get that this is a team, but we have to do better," Anderson said. • Pamela Shirtz, a teacher at Furry Elementary School, said the district had spent so much time focusing on creating a positive culture — epitomized by the district's "The Pirate Way" campaign — and that board members should keep that in mind when making decisions.